INTERACTIVE SYNOPSIS

Enhanced Rescue
Hoist Glove
Operational Field
Assessment ENTER
Engaging with Industry to Solve
Homeland Security Challenges
VIEW FULL REPORT
Capability Gap

Operational Field
Assessment

Results

Next Steps
Capability Gap

Rescue hoist gloves protect emergency responders’ hands during specialized helicopter hoist
rescue operations. Responders performing these specialized rescue operations wear the hoist
glove primarily to protect the palm side of the hand that manually guides a steel hoist cable
during descents and ascents. Responders have found that these gloves degrade quickly due to
friction with the cable. In addition to the loss of hand protection, fragments of material from a
damaged glove—typically leather—can get caught between strands of the hoist cable and may
shorten the useable life of the cable or hoist system.

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Operational Field Assessment

TECHNOLOGY SCENARIOS VENUE EVALUATORS

OVERVIEW

OFA Overview
Rescue hoist gloves protect the hands of emergency
responders’ who perform specialized helicopter hoist rescue
operations. To improve the durability and performance of
these gloves, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) First Responders and
Detection, Office of Mission Capability and Support sponsored
the research and development of abrasion-resistant glove
materials and alternative glove designs. This effort resulted in
two prototype fingerless glove designs.

DHS S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory
(NUSTL) conducted an operational field assessment (OFA)
where five responders from fire services and members of the
uniformed services evaluated the gloves at the U.S. Coast
Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center located in Elizabeth
City, North Carolina. To replicate manual tasks typically
associated with rescue missions, the evaluators used hoist
platforms equipped with safety harnesses, rescue gurneys
holding weighted mannequins, stationary helicopters, carabiner
and various other gear. Equipment at the training center
was able to mechanically generate wind and rain to simulate
conditions encountered during hoist rescue operations. As
development nears completion, NUSTL conducts an OFA
to ensure the prototypes are designed to meet capability
requirements identified by first responders. The OFA
allows first responders to operationally assess emerging
technologies and provide real-time, critical feedback to the
technology developer.

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Operational Field Assessment

TECHNOLOGY SCENARIOS VENUE EVALUATORS

OVERVIEW

Prototypes Assessed GLOVE B GLOVE C

The two gloves, denoted Glove B and Glove C, are made
from a “SuperFabric” material coated with resin to
create abrasion-resistant dots. While both gloves use
the resin-coated fabric on the palm and a stretchable
fabric on the back, other design elements differed. Glove
B incorporates a second layer of finer-grained material
to provide additional abrasion resistance and a wear-
indicator feature on the palm, a rubber pad on the heel
of the hand, and reflective fabric at the wrist cuff and
closures. Glove C has an additional padded layer over the
purlicue—the area between the thumb and index finger—
and part of the palm region, with leather on the fingers
and wrist area. Both gloves have Velcro straps and a loop
at the wrist as well as leather finger pulls.

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Operational Field Assessment

TECHNOLOGY SCENARIOS VENUE EVALUATORS

OVERVIEW

Simulated Rescue Operation Scenarios

Five evaluators from fire and uniformed services assessed the gloves’ durability, functionality, dexterity, usability, compatibility with other
equipment and the protection provided in simulated rescue hoist scenarios, identified below. Evaluators were grouped into teams and
data collectors from NUSTL were assigned to each team. The data collectors facilitated the test activities, recorded observations and
comments during each activity and used a questionnaire to gather feedback from each evaluator following the completion of each activity
station. Following the completion of all activities, additional feedback was solicited from the evaluators during a group debrief session.

DONNING AND DOFFING DEXTERITY CALM HOIST RAIN AND WIND HOIST DEGRADATION TESTING
Donned and doffed Performed manual Lowered a gurney (or Lowered a gurney Guided a weighted
gloves in wet and dry tasks requiring motor carriage) to the water’s (or carriage) with a hoist cable
conditions following skills and/or grip (i.e., surface while wearing mannequin into the continuously for at
a specified sequence carabiners, opening dry gloves, and hoisted water while wearing wet least one minute
to gauge fit, flexibility and closing latches or the gurney back to the gloves with rain and wind
and grip buckles with wet and starting point generators turned on, and
dry gloves) hoisted the gurney back to
the starting point

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Operational Field Assessment

TECHNOLOGY SCENARIOS VENUE EVALUATORS

OVERVIEW

U.S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center

ELIZABETH CITY, NC
Identifying a venue equipped with infrastructure and equipment allowing for simulation of
conditions encountered during rescue missions is crucial for executing a successful OFA. Key
features of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center that contributed to this
success are highlighted below.

HOIST TOWER WITH HELICOPTERS POOLS

SIMULATED WATER
CONDITIONS

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Operational Field Assessment

TECHNOLOGY SCENARIOS VENUE EVALUATORS

OVERVIEW

National First
Responder Community
NUSTL works side-by-side with NY
members of all first responder
disciplines–law enforcement, CT
fire services, emergency medical
services and emergency
WASHINGTON, DC
management–from jurisdictions CA IL
across the United States to test
and evaluate homeland security NC
technologies.
AL
EVALUATORS
Alabama, California, North Carolina

OBSERVERS
Connecticut, North Carolina,
Washington DC

PROJECT TEAM
Illinois, New York

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results

FIT AND COMFORT FUNCTIONALITY PROTECTION DURABILITY

Full Report Overview

NUSTL data collectors gathered evaluator feedback
through questionnaires and facilitated group
discussions. The results presented here cover
overarching feedback that pertains to and compares
both prototypes, and feedback specific to Glove B
and Glove C, respectively. Additionally, the results
are organized into sections on fit and comfort,
functionality, protection and durability.

The full Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove Operational

Field Assessment Report includes further details
about the OFA including, project requirements,
test activities, and results specific to each
protype including feedback and opportunities for
improvement from the evaluators.

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results

FIT AND COMFORT FUNCTIONALITY PROTECTION DURABILITY

Fit and comfort testing was conducted to determine

if the gloves designs would be compatible with
standard duty uniforms and to gauge overall feel
while conducting operational tasks.
Overall Feel
■ Excess fabric in the palm area decreases the ability to
feel the cable and extend fingers during manual tasks,
potentially affecting safety during hoist operations

PPE / Uniform Compatibility

■ Cuff lengths were too long and would interfere with dry suits
and potentially with operations

> FIND OUR COMPLETE COMPARISON RESULTS IN THE FULL REPORT

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results
FIT AND COMFORT FUNCTIONALITY
Functionality testing was conducted as it’s
imperative that the enhanced rescue hoist gloves
do not impede operational duties. This testing
included the overall design, features and usability.
Pull Loop
■ All evaluators pointed out usefulness
■ Did not interfere with uniform
■ One evaluator found it useful for donning
■ Two evaluators preferred the pull loop on Glove C as it
was lower profile and minimized snag hazard
Finger Length
■ Some evaluators found the finger length to be too long
on both Glove B and Glove C
■ Could potentially interfere with operations
> FIND OUR COMPLETE COMPARISON RESULTS IN THE FULL REPORT
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PROTECTION DURABILITY
SuperFabric
■ Flow friction material would fundamentally change the
way hoist operators would handle hoist cables
■ Controlling the cable was significantly smoother with
both gloves compared to their current leather glove
options
■ Lack of friction from the SuperFabric negatively affected
other aspects of flight operations
Grip
■ Glove C did not offer sufficient grip when holding
handles, door panels and maneuvering on the floor of a
helicopter compared to Glove B
■ Two evaluators noted slickness of the gloves,
particularly when wet, deeming this a safety concern
■ They found it difficult to grip wet equipment during
assessment operations
11
results

FIT AND COMFORT FUNCTIONALITY PROTECTION DURABILITY

Protection testing, focused on three specifc

aspects identifed below, was essential for
determining if the prototype gloves would protect
the hands of hoist operators.
Heat Protection
■ Four evaluators noticed heat transfer from the cable to their
hand while wearing Glove B and two while wearing Glove C

Friction Transfer
■ Four evaluators felt more friction transfer from the cable to their
skin while wearing Glove B which was attributed to the lack of
extra padding in the palm and purlicue compared to Glove C

Purlicue Coverage
■ Three evaluators were concerned that the purlicue coverage
in Glove B was inadequate for hoist operation and two did
so for Glove C

> FIND OUR COMPLETE COMPARISON RESULTS IN THE FULL REPORT

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results

FIT AND COMFORT FUNCTIONALITY PROTECTION DURABILITY

Durability testing was conducted to determine

if the prototype glove could withstand repeated
use without degradation or fragment shedding
to mitigate the risk of damaging the hoist itself,
while also protecting the hoist operator.
■ All evaluators either agreed or strongly agreed that both
Glove B and Glove C provided sufficient durability during
assessment activities
■ At least three to four days of additional testing with 10 to
12 hoists per day, would be needed to truly gauge their
long-term durability
■ No significant degradation was observed that would
require the gloves to be replaced during the simulated
operations conducted

> FIND OUR COMPLETE COMPARISON RESULTS IN THE FULL REPORT

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results

Overall, the evaluators concluded that both prototype gloves The results of NUSTL’s OFAs identify
provided sufficient durability during the assessment activities.
strengths and weaknesses of
There was no significant degradation observed that would
require the gloves to be replaced, however, they did indicate the product, with a focus on the
that both gloves were not tested long enough to truly gauge functionality for frst responders.
their long-term durability. Everything we assess is to increase
their safety and effectiveness on
Suffcient durability during the assessment
activities ”
the job.
Kris Dooley
No signifcant degradation observed that OFA Lead, National Urban Security
would require the gloves to be replaced Technology Laboratory

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 To read more on the design, ft and comfort,
functionality, protection, dexterity and
suggested enhancements to each individual
prototype, download NUSTL’s full OFA report
Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove on the DHS Website.
Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove
Operational Field Assessment Report VIEW FULL OFA REPORT
Operational Field Assessment Report
September 2020
September 2020

Approved for Public Release RT-T-R-16

Approved for Public Release RT-T-R-16

This OFA was conducted by NUSTL’s Operational Field Assessment Program that enables first responders to conduct hands-on assessments with prototype technology in order to
verify and document that project goals were achieved, and to provide them with an opportunity to suggest enhancements before the product hits the commercial market.

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results
Value Added
NUSTL plans and executes OFAs to ensure emerging technologies are assessed through operational scenarios that best
simulate the environment in which the technology will be used. Locations and scenarios vary with testing requirements and
first responders from throughout the country serve as evaluators. OFAs are typically conducted in a single day and include
hands-on operational activities. NUSTL collects feedback from first responders on the prototype’s usability, capability and
suitability to verify and document that developmental goals are met. The technology developers receive direct feedback from
the responder community to enhance their technology products prior to commercialization.

We are excited to bring to

market a rescue hoist glove with
increased dexterity and fexibility,
to include a wear indicator. This
enhanced glove will provide
frst responders the protection
needed when conducting
specialized aerial rescues.

kimberli jones-holt
”
Program Manager, DHS Science
and Technology Directorate

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NEXT STEPS
HDM, the technology developer, utilized feedback from first Feedback provided by frst responders is
responders to help determine which hoist glove would be
commercialized. Additionally, they incorporated enhancements
being incorporated into the design
identified by the first responder evaluators to make the glove
more appropriate for operational use. In the images below,
Commercialization of an enhanced rescue
you’ll see the current iteration of Glove B – finger length has hoist glove will occur in 2021
been shortened, finger pulls have been relocated to the middle
and ring finger – now affixed at the top of the hand and the
closure at the wrist has been replaced with a formfitting, lower
profile elastic band. These elements will be included in the final
product before it is commercialized in 2021.

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